Presidential candidate Marco Rubio holds rally in Joplin

Republican candidate Marco Rubio held a rally, tonight, in Joplin. It was held at the Millennium Tennis and Fitness Club.

400 people came out to hear the presidential hopeful speak on the future of the country. Senator Marco Rubio says America is a unique place and changes must be made to maintain that.

“We are going to be the first Americans that leave our children worse off than ourselves. I wish I could tell you only one party shared in the blame, I think one party has most of the blame, and 1 president has a lot of the blame over the last 7 years,” says Rubio.

He says it's the government's job to create prosperity so Americans can be successful. He wants to make America an easier place to get jobs.

“We have a national debt that threatens us with a debt crisis; you can't be the easiest and best place in the world to create jobs if your country is going through a debt crisis,” he adds.

Rubio spoke a lot about the American dream and what this generation has to do to ensure that America is the strongest nation for the next. He stressed the importance of education and making it cheaper and easier to access for all.

“I will be the vocational education president. I will make it easier for people to acquire these skills. One of the ways we're going to do this is we're going to open up the Pell Grant. We're going to open up the Pell Grant to high school students so that if your school doesn't offer vocational training, then you will able to go to high school in the morning and then use Pell Grant as a 15 or 16 year old to go to trade school in the afternoon or evening,” says Rubio.

“We have raised a generation of kids who really don't know how to work hard. They think if I don't wear a coat and tie, it’s a demeaning job and it’s not, and that was what impressed me,” says Shannon Webster of Carthage.

Rubio has endorsements from Missouri legislators, including Missouri Speaker of the House Todd Richardson who thinks Rubio could be good for the state.

“One of the things that we're constantly dealing with as a state is a crush of burdens and regulations from the federal government and I think Senator Rubio understands that a dynamic, vibrant economy depends on reducing that load of regulations that come out of Washington DC,” says Richardson.

Rubio spoke on a number of other topics, also saying that he would repeal and replace Obamacare.

Natural Grocers had shoppers lined up around the building for its grand opening today. Some came out for a chance at free groceries but many shoppers say they've seen the benefits of healthy eating and even choosing organic foods. Tonight at six Lisa Olliges talks to shoppers. And we hear from a local nutrition expert about the benefits of eating healthy and where to find healthy foods. More >>

Natural Grocers had shoppers lined up around the building for its grand opening today. Some came out for a chance at free groceries but many shoppers say they've seen the benefits of healthy eating and even choosing organic foods. Tonight at six Lisa Olliges talks to shoppers. And we hear from a local nutrition expert about the benefits of eating healthy and where to find healthy foods. More >>

FARMERS’ BILL OF RIGHTS Representatives from Missouri's Democratic party visit Joplin to discuss planned legislation for farmers. Democrats have called their legislation the "Farmers’ Bill of Rights," and it includes three components. One of them is the "right to rural opportunity." Representatives from Missouri's Republican party issued a statement to KOAM and the statement did not address specific parts of the proposed legislation...More >>

FARMERS’ BILL OF RIGHTS Representatives from Missouri's Democratic party visit Joplin to discuss planned legislation for farmers. Democrats have called their legislation the "Farmers’ Bill of Rights," and it includes three components. One of them is the "right to rural opportunity." Representatives from Missouri's Republican party issued a statement to KOAM and the statement did not address specific parts of the proposed legislation...More >>

We often say Christmas is for kids but that also includes teens and even they enjoy gifts. A Carterville couple is working hard to make ends meet but the family will need help from the KOAM-TV Toybox and the Salvation Army.

We often say Christmas is for kids but that also includes teens and even they enjoy gifts. A Carterville couple is working hard to make ends meet but the family will need help from the KOAM-TV Toybox and the Salvation Army.

Pittsburg city officials say significant economic growth has led to a high demand for housing options and they're looking for developers to help fill the need. Potential buyers can't seem to find what they need to make a house in Pittsburg their home.

Pittsburg city officials say significant economic growth has led to a high demand for housing options and they're looking for developers to help fill the need. Potential buyers can't seem to find what they need to make a house in Pittsburg their home.

Missouri Southern officials look to make room in the budget, cutting several positions and programs. Along with the cuts they've already seen, proposed cuts for next year’s budget make up about 10 percent of the University's total budget.

Missouri Southern officials look to make room in the budget, cutting several positions and programs. Along with the cuts they've already seen, proposed cuts for next year’s budget make up about 10 percent of the University's total budget.

Chat piles are a common site in the Four States, a result of mining in the 20th century. Before they were shut down by the EPA for remediation, four wheelers rode through the chat piles off of Schifferdecker Road in Joplin. A local business provides a somewhat safer alternative.

Chat piles are a common site in the Four States, a result of mining in the 20th century. Before they were shut down by the EPA for remediation, four wheelers rode through the chat piles off of Schifferdecker Road in Joplin. A local business provides a somewhat safer alternative.

More prescription opioids are sold in Missouri than any other Midwestern state. It's also the only state without a statewide prescription drug monitoring program. Legislation passed in January gave counties the ability to set up the programs and Vernon County is the first in our area take advantage of it.

More prescription opioids are sold in Missouri than any other Midwestern state. It's also the only state without a statewide prescription drug monitoring program. Legislation passed in January gave counties the ability to set up the programs and Vernon County is the first in our area take advantage of it.